Station Casinos' Durango project gets county's approval in southwest Vegas

Station Casinos’ much-anticipated Durango project in southwest Las Vegas received approval from county officials last Wednesday, meaning the gaming operator can now move forward with the development of the resort.

The proposed project is a 211-room hotel with an 83,178 square foot casino on South Durango Drive, south of the 215 Beltway. A groundbreaking could come early next year. The resort will focus on gaming and cater to the southwest valley’s growing population, with little competition within 5 square miles, said the company, according to Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Station Casinos currently has six properties open in and around Las Vegas. “Durango, a Station Casinos Resort,” as it is fully called, is set to be a “next-generation” project and could open in late 2023. A cost estimate is expected this fall, at the company’s third-quarter earnings call with investors.

The 216-foot-tall hotel and casino will feature several amenities, including a pool with an event lawn, four restaurants and bars, a race and sports betting area, meeting and convention space, a parking structure and electric vehicle charging stations.

A second phase would add a second tower, more hotel rooms, a theater-entertainment space, and a bigger casino area, reports Associated Press. A target date for when this phase will begin has not been released yet. It would add 241 more hotel rooms, and casino floor size would total 92,911-square-feet.

“We thank the Clark County Commission for their support of the Durango project,” said Bob Finch, Chief Operating Officer of Station Casinos. “For over 45 years, we have been the go-to local casino and entertainment destination in neighborhoods across the valley.” https://t.co/QX9P4BY1lE

— Station Casinos (@stationcasinos) October 6, 2021

Although Station Casinos has owned the undeveloped 71-acre property since 2000, the recession ruined the company’s plans to start building in 2009, with an expected 2011 launch. However, now the company says it has the balance sheet needed to go ahead with the project.

Bob Finch, chief operating officer for Station parent company Red Rock Resorts, said this week that Station Casinos will build Durango on about 50 eastern acres of the parcel. This leaves 20 western acres which could function as transitional land between the neighborhood and the property, according to documents submitted to the county, further reports Review-Journal.

Prior to the Clark County Commission approval on Wednesday, the company first secured support for the project from the Town Advisory Board in September. During the meeting, some community members supported the proposal while others expressed concerns with traffic, as schools are located near the property’s proposed entrances.

Station Casinos has now also shared the first renderings of the casino, which is inspired by “the warm colors” and vibrant landscapes of the desert. The pictures show what the exteriors will look like, as well as interior visualization of its food hall concept.

The new development will be a great addition and community partner, the company says, employing thousands of construction and full-time team members, and reporting millions in state and local taxes.